Antrim Football Thread

[Gaels1789]

Do they even need it though?  The intermediate antrim championship is at its lowest quality in living memory.

It wouldn't be junior grade in other counties.  Some clubs need to be forced down into into whether they like it or not


Sairsfields and moneyglass are border line senior teams and the difference is massive to the rest of the league.

[Spike]

A 16 team first division means a lot of teams are borderline senior.

In any normal situation these teams would be nowhere near senior.   Thats not their fault, they can only compete against the teams within the built structures and beat whats in front of them.

Hard to watch some of those group games in the senior championship.

[general_lee]

I have a passing interest in Antrim football due to friends and family connections. Cannot for the world of me understand the thought process behind introducing the 16 team SFC/Division 1 (I'm guessing politics)

There are at best, 10 genuine senior standard clubs. You could maybe argue extending that to 12, same for intermediate. The rest are junior and even at that level you would need to introduce a Junior B.

[imtommygunn]

Where did the stream go??

[NorthAntrimSaff]

I have a passing interest in Antrim football due to friends and family connections. Cannot for the world of me understand the thought process behind introducing the 16 team SFC/Division 1 (I'm guessing politics)

There are at best, 10 genuine senior standard clubs. You could maybe argue extending that to 12, same for intermediate. The rest are junior and even at that level you would need to introduce a Junior B.

Junior B in football 100%..some junior teams are miles off winning junior plus more would enter if there were a junior b. I see Mitchell's are still operating in the south antrim leagues. Fair play to them. Would be good to see them build and get back into the all county league. Which is in fact all belfast apart from rasharkin next year? Although rasharkin and gorts will be very very strong compared to bottom end division 3 teams

[SoloAndGo]

Completely agree, IFC is brutal but so are SARS and MG. League structure needs change asap.

[NorthAntrimSaff]

If you had six teams from div 1 plus moneyglass sarsfields Glenavy and st ts would be a good intermediate championship

[NorthAntrimSaff]

Im not sure how a junior would work. Possibly a similar set up in other counties like derry shc. All the rest start junior A. Grading rounds. Drop to junior B or something like that

[Christmas Lights]

Make 4 leagues, division 1, division 2, division 3A and division 3B

D1 plays senior championship
D2 plays intermediate championship
D3A & 3B plays junior championship

Winners of championship get promoted with league winners

Bottom 2 in league are relegated.

34 clubs.
11 in D1,
11 in D2,
6 in 3A & 6 in 3B.

[NatSoSaff]

Just about had it with officiating in Antrim. I am usually loathe to criticise, particularly one individual. But when you have a team comprising of a ref, his 4 umpires and 2 designated linesmen, and an extra side-line official - how can so many not communicate, or worse still - communicate so badly wrong.
This is'nt sour grapes either. It was bad for both teams throughout today. The lack of consistency is just astounding.

[EOC1923]

Just about had it with officiating in Antrim. I am usually loathe to criticise, particularly one individual. But when you have a team comprising of a ref, his 4 umpires and 2 designated linesmen, and an extra side-line official - how can so many not communicate, or worse still - communicate so badly wrong.
This is'nt sour grapes either. It was bad for both teams throughout today. The lack of consistency is just astounding.

Embarrassing refereeing and officiating in general. Hard to get referees and all that but has to be said, The standout consistent failing which happened several times. a man gets the ball from either team, gets wrestled onto the ground , four men pile on top and he stands and watches for 20-30 seconds. Then somehow makes a call either way. Take him away and explain the rules to him then give him another game of that magnitude.

[Spike]

Went to the game thinking I knew the rules of gaelic football, or most of them anyway.

Came away doubting everything I've ever knew.  It was a mixture of rugby and hurling rules.   Rolling mauls, wrestling off the ball, throw passes.

I dont know what is a foul, black card, yellow card or a penalty after viewing that game.  Major infringements were ignored and minor infringements blown.  Very strange.

I know it's hard getting refs, so perhaps a more consistent approach is required

The match itself was interesting.  Cargin sleeping for the first 15mins, then should have won comfortably in normal time while creggan hung in gamely.  Penalties a rotten way to finish a game but great drama

[Booter McGavin]

Going to say it. Know the sure why dont you try doing it yourself brigade are going to weigh in. But that was horrendous officiating today.
Best about it, i was neutral.
Did not showcase the best of either team or Antrim football as a whole!!
People chat shit in here year round and in circles. If Antrim football is to improve maybe we need to put more resources into improving our officiating.
FYI i am not attacking an individual, this has been problematic for sometime, its systemic and needs addressed. Not just for the fellas on the field playing but also the men that give up that free time to hold thw whistle!!

[Take the Mark]

I mentioned the officiating a few games ago and received private messages from an official.

Read into that what you will.

Creggan were fantastic today and deserved a replay at least. They have some really good forwards, outside of the obvious.

[Booter McGavin]

I really do feel for fellas that officiate. Its a thankless job, that they get little thanks for doing take the mark.
Like i said im not pointing the finger. Opinion is they need more training and resources.
The light shines bright on them the business end of the season.
Unfortunately, shone too bright as couple years.
I know many a great man to lift the whistle in this county. My gripe is the lack of support and training they recieve.
Small as it sounds, makes a massive impact when officiating games like today that are in the melting pot